Marathon Weekend Newbie Questions

[Tiresius]

My mom signed up yesterday through a charity group to run the 5k on the Friday morning of January 2010 Marathon Weekend. Not having ever done any Disney races before, I just have some logistical questions, being the trip planner of the group.

1) How does transportation work getting to the 5K? I know there are special morning buses for the half and full marathon, but are there buses for the 5k? We won't have a car, so is the race going to be accessible to us on Disney transportation? (We haven't booked rooms yet, but plan to stay onsite at a value)

2) How about transportation to the expo for packet pickup? Normally buses don't really run to WWoS. Does that change during this weekend? Will we be able to get over there by bus on Thursday?

Thank you for all of your help!

 

[suzannews]

I can't answer about busses to the 5K as I did not do it last year. There are busses to the expo from all Disney hotels, running about every 15 mins or so. I took the bus from All Star Sports last year on Thursday and it was great.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Yes, there buses for the 5K, the Half and the Full from all the Disney Resort. Except of course the Monorail Loop Hotels, those you take the monorail to the Half and the Full.

Tracy

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

My DSIL will be running the 1/2 marathon for the first time. I am reading all of the info that is sent to him. I am reading about the Cheer Squad. Is it necessary to join the cheer squad to get good viewing areas? Are they too full to get a spot if you aren't a cheer squad member? Does it make a big difference to upgrade to the gold or platinum packages? I'm just wondering if these are really necessary or just another way to make $$$???

Next question. Do they have photopass photographers available at all for the races? Is it possible to buy a fairly basic picture of DSIL during the race or do you have to spend mega$$ to buy them?

Thanks so much for all of the help you experienced marathoners can give!

 

[suzannews]

My DSIL will be running the 1/2 marathon for the first time. I am reading all of the info that is sent to him. I am reading about the Cheer Squad. Is it necessary to join the cheer squad to get good viewing areas? Are they too full to get a spot if you aren't a cheer squad member? Does it make a big difference to upgrade to the gold or platinum packages? I'm just wondering if these are really necessary or just another way to make $$$???

Next question. Do they have photopass photographers available at all for the races? Is it possible to buy a fairly basic picture of DSIL during the race or do you have to spend mega$$ to buy them?

Thanks so much for all of the help you experienced marathoners can give!

Last year my family did not pay the extra $$ for the cheer squad and were able to all find a viewing spot near the finish line to see me. Yes, it was very crowded and luckily I am a back of the packer so the crowds thinned alittle but I'd save the money unless having a seat in the bleachers is a must for them.

There are photographers on the course and at the finish but they are not Disney photopass. The company is ASI. They are on the expensive side, I think, for the pictures but for the 1/2 this past January I bought a collage print for about $40 where I was able to pick 3 different pictures from the ones they took and they put it on one sheet with my name, finish time and the 1/2 marathon logo. Worth every penny.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Last year my family did not pay the extra $$ for the cheer squad and were able to all find a viewing spot near the finish line to see me. Yes, it was very crowded and luckily I am a back of the packer so the crowds thinned alittle but I'd save the money unless having a seat in the bleachers is a must for them.

There are photographers on the course and at the finish but they are not Disney photopass. The company is ASI. They are on the expensive side, I think, for the pictures but for the 1/2 this past January I bought a collage print for about $40 where I was able to pick 3 different pictures from the ones they took and they put it on one sheet with my name, finish time and the 1/2 marathon logo. Worth every penny.

That doesn't sound as expensive as what I was seeing online. I was seeing pictures for $200! THAT was too much. $40 I think I can handle. When you say that you are a back of the packer...how long does it take for you to run the 1/2 marathon? DSIL says it will take about 1:45 for him. I'm wondering if we will be in a crunch crowd. (Can you tell I am VERY new to this!!!) Thanks SO MUCH for the input. Every bit helps me plan.

 

[TnTsParty]

Karla - the time limit for the half I think is 3 1/2 hours - so the back of the pack would be back there - around 3 hours and 3.5 hours. I also think you can order all of the pictures the photographers take for a set price - its like $80 or something like that. You get the actual digital image so you can do whatever you would like with the the pictures.

 

[greewe]

Back to questions about the 5K...my son is also running and I was wondering if I would be able to watch him?